"I say to myself, I will not mention His name, I will speak in His name no more. But then, it becomes like a fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones, I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it." Jeremiah 20:7-10

Friday, July 10, 2009

We Adore Thee, O Christ, and We Praise Thee

I'm hoping to draw more people to the beautiful practice of Eucharistic Adoration and was blessed to write this article for my parish newsletter...

Eucharistic Adoration

Are you burdened by the daily stresses and trials of life? Do you long for peace, quiet and happiness? Our Catholic faith is filled with many prayer forms that can bring those blessed qualities into our lives. One prayer form in particular that exudes these gifts is Eucharistic Adoration, also known as a Holy Hour.

My Aunt Monica, a widowed mother of 13 children had a habit of keeping a weekly Holy Hour. Her daughter would tease her and say, “Mom, I think you’re just keeping a happy hour!” Monica would reply, “Daughter, when I’m keeping my Holy Hour, I am happy!” In her struggles to raise her children and run a successful farm by herself, she found renewal, peace and the strength to meet the challenges of her life by regularly spending time in the presence of Jesus.

Pope John Paul II referred to the practice of Eucharistic Adoration in his encyclical “Ecclesia de Eucharista” (Church of the Eucharist): “In our time, Christians must be distinguished above all by ‘the art of prayer’. How can we not feel a renewed need to spend time before Christ in the Blessed Sacrament? St. Alphonsus of Liguori called it ‘the devotion…dearest to God and most helpful to us.’”

In this lovely, ancient prayer form, a Consecrated Host is placed in a vessel called a Monstrance, and is exposed (meaning outside of the tabernacle) in a church or special chapel designed for adoration. As Catholics, we believe that Jesus is really, truly and substantially present, -Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity- and living in the Consecrated Host, so we do not want to leave Him alone, we want to keep Him company. Whenever Jesus is displayed in a Monstrance, it is necessary that someone remain with Him at all times. We are reminded of His heartbreaking words to the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane…”Could you not stay awake one hour with me?’(Matt 26:40) So, we commit to one-hour intervals to remain and pray in the presence of our precious Lord. In churches where Eucharistic Adoration is routinely offered, there are usually sign-up lists where parishioners commit to spending regular time in Holy Hours with the Lord, so that He will never be alone.

There are several ways to make a Eucharistic Holy Hour of Adoration. We can spend the time in silence, trying to remain open to the Word of God speaking within us, we can read from Scripture or some other spiritual books, or we can silently pray the rosary or other traditional prayers of the Church. In his book, To Whom Shall We Go, Archbishop Dolan states that “Silence is attractive to God.” A silent Holy Hour is a great way to attract God into our hearts.

Fr. John Grigus, OFM, suggests dividing a Holy Hour into fifteen-minute intervals to spiritually enhance this time. -Dedicate the first 15 minutes to the realization of the presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. -Devote the second 15 minutes to Thanksgiving to God for being present in this very real way. -Use the next 15 minutes to petition God for your requests and the needs of the Church. -Finally, end your Holy Hour with atonement, examining your conscience and expressing sorrow for your sins.

In the words of Pope John Paul II “The visit to the Blessed Sacrament is a great treasure of the Catholic faith. It nourishes social love and gives us opportunities for adoration and thanksgiving, for reparation and supplication. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Holy Hours and Eucharistic processions are likewise precious elements of your heritage--in full accord with the teaching of the Second Vatican Council”. Why not reclaim your Catholic heritage and make a commitment to spending time alone with Jesus? May you all enjoy many “happy hours” in the holy presence of our beloved Lord Jesus with a heart filled with adoration and love, renewing yourselves to face the challenges of life!

3 comments:

Hello Anne!Have you ever been to savior.org.They have online Eucharistic Adoration and you can be with Jesus while surfing the net. So cool!Beautiful idea and may the Lord bless you in this ministry.Linda

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I give my life to you.

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The mission of the Apostleship of Prayer is to encourage you to pray daily for the Church and the world, as well as for Pope Benedict's two prayer intentions each month. Since 1844 millions of members of the Apostleship of Prayer throughout the world have offered themselves to God for the good of others. In offering ourselves we imitate Jesus Christ, who offered himself for the salvation of all. Join us!

St. John Vianney-Patron Saint of Priests

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From John's Passion by Bach

Consider, my soul, with a tortured joy, and with a bitter burden half stifling my heart, your highest good in the sufferings of Jesus. Consider how, for you, on the thorns that prick Him, blooms the flowers that open the gates of heaven; from His bitter wormwood you can pluck sweet fruit in abundance. Therefore, never cease to contemplate Him.

Erbarme Dich from Matthew's Passion by Bach

Have mercy, my God, for my tears' sake; look hither, heart and eyes weep before Thee bitterly. Although I have strayed from Thee, yet I have returned again; for Thy Son has reconciled us through His agony and mortal pain. I do not deny my guilt, but Thy grace and favor is far greater than the sin which I ever confess in myself.

Prayer of St. John Vianney

I love You, O my God, and my only desire is to love You until the last breath of my life. I love You, O my infinitely lovable God, and I would rather die loving You, than live without loving You. I love You, Lord and the only grace I ask is to love You eternally...My God, if my tongue cannot say in every moment that I love You, I want my heart to repeat it to You as often as I draw breath.

Prayer of St. Louis de Montfort

What ill or evil, Lord, can harm
This joyous heart that You alone can charm?
I love You more with every breath,
So how can I fear life or death?
To love You, Father, is to live and sing
The songs the angels sing their King.
God alone in every cell of me!
God alone! For all eternity!